Arthur Jones-Nevill
Encyclopedia
Arthur Jones-Nevill was an Irish
politician. He served as Surveyor General of Ireland
from 1743, and later as a Member of the Parliament of Ireland
, although he lost both positions following allegations of maladministration and peculation. He later returned to Parliament, serving until his death.
Born Arthur Jones, he was the son of Colonel Edward Jones of Wexford
and Mary, daughter of Richard Nevill of Furness, County Kildare
. As Nevill's only grandson, he adopted the surname Nevill before succeeding to that family's property in 1750. In November 1742 he married Elinor, daughter of Rear Admiral Christopher Parker and sister of Admiral Sir Peter Parker
. By 1742 he was a member of the Dublin Society for improving Husbandry, Manufactures and other Useful Arts and Sciences
.
In 1743 Jones-Nevill purchased the office of Surveyor General of Ireland
for £3,300 from the previous Surveyor, Arthur Dobbs
. He was appointed by letters patent
of 15 June 1743, issued by Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset
, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
. During his time in office he drew plans for barracks at Charles Fort
and for the Bedford Tower range at Dublin Castle
. In 1751, Jones-Nevill entered the Irish House of Commons
as MP for Wexford County
.
He was dismissed from the post of Surveyor General on 30 August 1752, following accusations of maladministration: he had failed to procure contractors for the upkeep of Ireland's barracks, one of his primary responsibilities as Surveyor General. However, he managed to sell the office on to his successor, Thomas Eyre
. The "politically motivated" affair continued until the following year, when on 23 November 1753, he was expelled from Parliament. During the 1750s, attempts were made by John Rochfort, MP for Mullingar, to recoup the losses caused, through the introduction of several unsuccessful bills intended "To oblige Arthur Jones Nevill, esquire, late engineer and surveyor-general, at his own expense, and without any further charge to the public, to make good the defects in the several barracks, built, re-built and repaired under his direction, and to complete the same in the most effectual manner, according to the several contracts entered into for that purpose."
Jones-Nevill was a patron of the arts, installing a continental stucco
ceiling in his new house at 40 St Stephen's Green, and sending the painter Jacob Ennis
to Italy in 1753–1757. He also subscribed to a number of books on architecture
and surveying
. In 1761, he returned to Parliament as MP for Wexford Borough
. He introduced a number of bills, including proposals "For the further encouragement of planting timber trees" (1765) and "For the better regulating of buildings in the city of Dublin, the liberties and suburbs thereof" (1769). He became Sheriff of County Kildare in 1762.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
politician. He served as Surveyor General of Ireland
Surveyor General of Ireland
The office of Surveyor General of Ireland was an appointed office under the Dublin Castle administration of Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Surveyor General was typically responsible for the surveying, design and construction of civic works, and was often involved in overseeing the...
from 1743, and later as a Member of the Parliament of Ireland
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland was a legislature that existed in Dublin from 1297 until 1800. In its early mediaeval period during the Lordship of Ireland it consisted of either two or three chambers: the House of Commons, elected by a very restricted suffrage, the House of Lords in which the lords...
, although he lost both positions following allegations of maladministration and peculation. He later returned to Parliament, serving until his death.
Born Arthur Jones, he was the son of Colonel Edward Jones of Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and Mary, daughter of Richard Nevill of Furness, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
. As Nevill's only grandson, he adopted the surname Nevill before succeeding to that family's property in 1750. In November 1742 he married Elinor, daughter of Rear Admiral Christopher Parker and sister of Admiral Sir Peter Parker
Sir Peter Parker, 1st Baronet
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Peter Parker, 1st Baronet was a British naval officer.-Naval career:Peter Parker was born probably in Ireland. He became a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1743 and captain in 1747. In 1761, he took command of HMS Buckingham and helped cover operations on Belle Île...
. By 1742 he was a member of the Dublin Society for improving Husbandry, Manufactures and other Useful Arts and Sciences
Royal Dublin Society
The Royal Dublin Society was founded on 25 June 1731 to "to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland". The RDS is synonymous with its main premises in Ballsbridge in Dublin, Ireland...
.
In 1743 Jones-Nevill purchased the office of Surveyor General of Ireland
Surveyor General of Ireland
The office of Surveyor General of Ireland was an appointed office under the Dublin Castle administration of Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Surveyor General was typically responsible for the surveying, design and construction of civic works, and was often involved in overseeing the...
for £3,300 from the previous Surveyor, Arthur Dobbs
Arthur Dobbs
Arthur Dobbs was a wealthy landowner in North Carolina and served as colonial governor from 1754 to 1765.-Early life and career:...
. He was appointed by letters patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
of 15 June 1743, issued by Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset
Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset
Lionel Cranfield Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset, PC was an English political leader and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was the son of the 6th Earl of Dorset and 1st Earl of Middlesex and the former Lady Mary Compton, younger daughter of the 3rd Earl of Northampton...
, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. During his time in office he drew plans for barracks at Charles Fort
Charles Fort (Ireland)
Charles Fort is a star fort located on the water's edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Cork, Ireland. James' Fort is located on the other side of the harbour....
and for the Bedford Tower range at Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
. In 1751, Jones-Nevill entered the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
as MP for Wexford County
Wexford County (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Wexford County was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800.-1692–1801:...
.
He was dismissed from the post of Surveyor General on 30 August 1752, following accusations of maladministration: he had failed to procure contractors for the upkeep of Ireland's barracks, one of his primary responsibilities as Surveyor General. However, he managed to sell the office on to his successor, Thomas Eyre
Thomas Eyre (engineer)
Thomas Eyre was an Irish military engineer.Thomas Eyre was the second son of Colonel Samuel Eyre of Eyreville, County Galway. In 1738 he joined the regiment of James Oglethorpe, the founder of the Colony of Georgia, and sailed to the colony. He rose from the rank of cadet to be sub-engineer for...
. The "politically motivated" affair continued until the following year, when on 23 November 1753, he was expelled from Parliament. During the 1750s, attempts were made by John Rochfort, MP for Mullingar, to recoup the losses caused, through the introduction of several unsuccessful bills intended "To oblige Arthur Jones Nevill, esquire, late engineer and surveyor-general, at his own expense, and without any further charge to the public, to make good the defects in the several barracks, built, re-built and repaired under his direction, and to complete the same in the most effectual manner, according to the several contracts entered into for that purpose."
Jones-Nevill was a patron of the arts, installing a continental stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
ceiling in his new house at 40 St Stephen's Green, and sending the painter Jacob Ennis
Jacob Ennis
Jacob Ennis was an Irish historical and portrait painter. He studied at Dublin under Robert West, and afterwards in Italy, and subsequently became a master in the Dublin Art School. He died, through a fall from his horse, in the county of Wicklow, in 1770.-References:...
to Italy in 1753–1757. He also subscribed to a number of books on architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
. In 1761, he returned to Parliament as MP for Wexford Borough
Wexford Borough (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Wexford Borough was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800.-1692–1801:...
. He introduced a number of bills, including proposals "For the further encouragement of planting timber trees" (1765) and "For the better regulating of buildings in the city of Dublin, the liberties and suburbs thereof" (1769). He became Sheriff of County Kildare in 1762.